*Monday Memos*

*MONDAY MEMOS*

   

 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge) 
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!

dear monday, I got up and hit the gym and got in my PT. I chatted with cute Cindy for a bit and a few others. I am so happy because I am barely limping when wake up ! Yay! Made treats for party at Packers tonight.  It's a new recipe but not sure I'll make it again. It's okay but not spectacular!  

Brother Packer invited us over for our annual Christmas movie night. We tried to hook up in the summer for another fun crepe night but schedules always seemed to conflict. Richard makes the best crepes. I love crepes. Maybe another time. We look forward to this fun Christmas get together each year though. Carson joined in the fun this year. I wasn't sure how well he would do with the movie we chose, but he did great and watched most of it. When he got a little bored, he chatted with Julie. They have a cute bond. We watched It's a Wonderful Life. It's one of, if not my ALL TIME favorite movie! It was a new version in color and I was amazed at how clear the picture was. He has a good set up and movies are always better over there. Julie reminded me of a time when she was really struggling and I told her she needed to watch that movie. So she did and told me it helped her immensely. It has a powerful message. We all contribute so much to our world yet we often don't see it. I thought I got a photo of everyone watching the movie but they aren't on my phone. 

After the movie Richard showed Carson his amazing seashell collection. It's beyond impressive. One of his shells is one of the largest in the world. It was so fun to see again. He gave Carson some shells just for him to take home. Carson loved that.Toured his shop and saw the new things he has made. Amazing. Such talent. 

We always look forward to the shop tour and seeing what he has been working on during the year. It always blows us away, but this year, I was in absolute awe!  Check out these two cars!!!

They are made from purple heart wood among other woods including a zebra wood that is so cool.  But have you seriously ever seen such talent??  It's unbelievable that he could come up with the design and then make it so meticulously. The tiny details were stunning. I wish more people were able to see the talent in the two of them.  It is baffling!

Carson loved all the other things in his shop. He was amazed by the huge doll house.  And his gun collection he has made in his garage is also impressive.
This drawing of Brigham in it's early years hangs in his garage as well.  It's looking down from the mountain where we live.  

We always leave in complete awe and amazement at the talent!  They are both so gifted!  It's a huge blessing to be able to see a few of the things they have made that will leave their mark on the world. However, they are both so humble and act like it's just another day at the office. It is, but their office produces magic and the utterly impossible to everyone else.

dear tuesday, today Dave was off. I got out on a walk and it felt good and not too chilly. Winter returns next week so I am milking it for all it's worth! I had to force myself to work on the calendars today until I wanted to toss them. I got a lot done and I am grateful they are progressing. I also got some Christmas stuff done.  Carson had a cute little friend come home with him to play. His name is Maverick. He was a nice kid. He stayed until after 6 and so we fed him dinner.  

I saw this when I went in the computer room. Mr. Panda has become Mr. Elsa! 

dear wednesday, I got up early to practice and then headed to my lesson. It was trying to rain or snow all day. I love cloudy days. My lesson went well. She is happy with my recital piece.  I then had a couple hours to kill before the Sista Gratitude Tea and so I hit a couple stores at Station Park. At my favorite store (Home Goods) I found this little rocking chair that I knew Julie would die for. I sent her a photo and she had me get it for her.  I enjoyed my shopping time because I didn't feel rushed.  

I arrived at Kathy's in time for the Gratitude Tea. This is our 5th year.  I think the invites turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself!  I actually enjoy making them for our events. 

Only five showed up after 10 said they were coming.  Oh well.  Such is life. We had a great time. 

I call Kathy's house the Tea Parlor because she has SO many tea sets she inherited from her mother. She lives in the house her mother lived in and so most of them are still in the hutches. Here is a sample:

I am not sure how she chooses which set to use, but it was this one today...

 She went all out and did such a nice job. She basically forgot it was potluck and had the full meal for us.  We all brought something to add. Kelly brought an amazing pear pie. It might be one of the best pies I have ever tried. I will add the recipe at the end of this post.

 Of course we got lots of pix!

 Stole this one ↓ from Dawn...

We always take a minute and go around the table and say what we are grateful for. I got a bit chocked up when I shared mine this year. I basically said I was grateful it was THIS year and not LAST year at this time. I shared how many miracles I received and how VERY grateful I am that I am walking normally when I wasn't sure that was even going to happen and now I am even running a tiny bit. And how grateful I am that the cancer is in remission and things are going so well! Everyone had some really great things they were thankful for. Lori said she was thankful for our group and how it has helped her in her life. It was nice to hear what everyone said. Kelly talked about her mom and that made me even more thankful for mine. Not many of my friends still have living mothers. I am blessed and grateful!

PEAR PIE RECIPE:

I had to hurry home because Karen and Mickey here so Sky could help tutor Mickey with her math.  I had run to Crumbl and so I shared them with everyone. Love those things!  Karen had been working on her and Barry's business stuff.  She is pretty stressed about Thanksgiving this year at her house since there will be 51 peeps!  Wow!  The family keeps growing!  I offered to do the centerpieces for the tables and she was VERY relieved. I am going to use the ones I did for the dinner for the General Authority.

They were twinners!

dear thursday, today I went to Logan and met my dear friend Shelly Locke for lunch at Olive Garden. I did a little Christmas shopping before.  We had a great lunch and she wanted details on last year and all the miracles. She told me a lot of amazing things relating to her new books.  She just published two!  Her husband passed away barely a year ago and yet she has accomplished so much. She has always been amazing that way. I am not sure she ever sleeps. I tried to get a selfie of us but she refused to look at the camera because she hates her photo taken. So that's the best I could do!  LOL  She is so kind and brought me a sweet gift and card. 

 Here is a photo she was willing to take a couple weeks ago (just so you know what she looks like) at the AMI conference.

I then picked up McKay after his big test and took him to get some lunch/dinner and then some groceries. I loaded him up and stocked his fridge and shelves.  He was very grateful

I had to take this photo. He basically carried it all upstairs in one trip!  He was loaded down! He did have to come back for the Olive Garden leftovers I saved for him.

I then met Shelly again at Deseret Book so she could show me her books. I ended up buying three of them. Two mother ones and one father one. They are well done. The stories of how they came together are so inspiring. They are basically a compilation of quotes from each prophet on Motherhood and Fatherhood. She completely amazes me. I truly am not sure I have ever met a human who accomplishes so much and does it so well. She is very inspiring. I love to be with her. We are going to meet every three months for lunch just so we can chat.  

Carson gave me this when I got home....

I love his drawings of us. He knows I love rain. So sweet!

dear friday, I hit the gym early and got in 3 miles on the dreadmill. I really do dread that machine!  I came home and got ready and then went to watch Carson in his school turkey trot. He is a fast little runner but not competitive.  I did give him some pointers on how to run the edge of the distance and not the outside edges, but he ended up doing exactly that. LOL  He didn't place but mainly because he isn't competitive.

 I basically worked on the calendar all day because if I get it done by tomorrow I can get it for 50% off. Since I am ordering two, that is a great deal. Not sure I can get BOTH my moms and Dave's moms done, but I will give it my best shot!  I ran some errands and then Dave and I went to El Toro. I thought I ordered my usual the El Mole enchiladas but I ended up with El Mole something else. I kept it but it was too spicy for me.  We then went and saw the movie Ford vs Ferrari. It was really good.  

 Brigham has these gorgeous snowflakes up around Main Street. So pretty.

Tomorrow is the Turkey Trot. I am not sure if I am going to go or not. I know I can't win this year since I can't run and I am not sure I can handle NOT winning!  LOL Struggling with what to do!

dear saturday, 

I really went back and forth all morning on whether or not to do the Turkey Trot this year.  I was having a little bit of PTSD because THIS was my VERY LAST RACE I ran before I was forced to not run.  Just the thought was painful. It really is tough to think that I have had running swept right away from me and I may never be able to run like I did before. That part is hard but what was the hardest was knowing there is no way I could win a turkey this year because I would have to walk it and not run.  I know, I know, but that is hard for me. It's tradition!  I have run this race EVERY year for the past at least 12 years. And I have won first place in my age division pretty much every year which means I took home a turkey! I did get 2nd place once and won a pumpkin pie and McKay was so happy I didn't win a turkey that year because he loves pumpkin pie. LOL  BUT...I wasn't sure how that would feel having a photo this year without holding a turkey was not going to be easy and just reaffirm that I can no longer run like I could a year ago. I know I did Peach Days but that was different only because there are so many in my age division in that race and it's not really just a little local race. 

BUT...

As I was trying to decide what to do.  As I was thinking, the thought JUST SHOW UP kept coming into my mind.  I felt deep down that I needed to go. I decided if Carson would go then I would and he said he would even though he had a cough. And, Dave also happened to be off today so he could also go. I am sure after the thought JUST SHOW UP kept coming to me I would have gone either way. We arrived and there were not very many people this year. I had the thought that maybe I could win a turkey this year by default after all since I might be the only one in my age division. And wouldn't you know it, I WAS!  SO I WON MY TURKEY!!!!  I JUST SHOWED UP and I was rewarded!  I DID have to run and I did EARN that bird, but you know what I mean.

The photo on the left is LAST year and the one on the right is THIS year! I had a sweet feeling that this was a tender mercy from heaven just for me because of how important it was to me.  I felt so humbled.  Robin actually text me during the race and asked me if it was the Turkey Trot today because she saw Dave and Carson on the route. I found out Julie H didn't think they were doing it this year because Bob moved. Both of them are in my age group and if they had come, I would not have won. In all the years I have run this race, there has never been just one person in my age division. Usually there are at least five or six. It is a very small town race, but my age division always has competition. Wow. I am so amazed. And in awe. And feel so loved and blessed. However, my time totally surprised me! I power walked, literally trotted, and did even run some. I tried to run the one minute for each five minutes I walked, but my phone wasn't working right so I just ran on the downhill since the uphill hurts my ankle like crazy because it won't bend upwards quite yet. I am pretty sure I ran more than I should have. I am estimating I ran about 8 or 9 minutes, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was more. It's a four mile race and my overall time was 45:46!  That is an 11:36 minute per mile pace!  And I thought my Peach Days pace was fast at 13:38. I was very surprised I was able to do that. I knew I would pay for it later, but being in the excitement of the race makes it so hard to NOT run and compete!  Even if that means just power walking. My walking pace was faster than some of the runner's paces and I passed a few. There was also a two mile walk but there are no prizes for them.

 Before the race...

Carson got his picture with Kelsey B. She won the entire race in a flat 24 minutes. It's a four mile tough course and that is amazing. She runs for WSU and is trying to qualify for the Olympic Trials. 

He was a little trooper!  He wasn't feeling well yet he still did his best. He took a little rest on a chair and then Dave put him on his shoulders for the rest of the way! They did the two mile walk but that is a long way!  They put turkeys on chairs and if you see one you can take it but you have to carry it the rest of the race!  I kind of wondered if that is why I felt to "just show up" at first because I could get one of them.  LOL  They were long gone by the time I got to the chair. That's what is sad because it would be easier for a power walker to carry one than a runner.  hah  

When I was almost to the finish line, Carson was waiting for me and he came out and ran me in!  He is so sweet!  He really wasn't feeling well but he did it anyway. Love that little guy!

 Yes!  Keeping with tradition! I won a gobbler!!! So happy and grateful! This seems so silly but it means so much to my heart!  Such a TENDER MERCY!!!

Oh! It felt SO SO SO good to run a bit!! And to be in a race actually kind of running!  How I have missed it!!!

My turkey with a turkey!

 Carson wanted nothing to do with this turkey. Look at his face!  She bribed him with candy to get him to take a photo with her. 

 This poor little guy was feeling so yucky! Look at those eyes!

And....to top it all off...

I found a penny during the race!!!
THANKS TYSON!!!  

Here is my FB post (minus the photos):

Brigham City Turkey Trot.🦃 The first photo is one year ago and the last race I 'ran'. The second is TODAY - one year later at the same race. I almost didn't go today even though it's tradition and I have ran it the past at least 12 years. I wasn't sure how I would feel not winning a turkey this year since I am still not able to run. I decided to "just show up" anyway and do my best even if I was literally only "trotting" 🦃.

The most I have been able to run is a total of six minutes (not all at once) at a time since my accident almost one year ago. I was able to power walk, trot, run a bit, trot again, walk again, and run a bit more. My overall pace was 11:36. I probably pushed it a bit more than I should and I'll probably pay for it later but it felt so good to be out there today. How I've missed it! 🏃‍♀️

AND.......drum roll please 🥁.......I WON A TURKEY! All the stars aligned ✨and I came in first place.🏅 Don't be too impressed, it's a small town race and even though it's never happened before, I was the only one that showed up in my 10 year age span division. LOL 😆

Carson and Dave did the 2 mile walk. Carson ran me to the finish line even though he wasn't feeling too great. Praying and hoping next year maybe I will be able to RUN it!!! 🙏

#justshowup #turkeytrot #gobbler

I worked on the calendar for quite a few hours the rest of the day. I had to get them done by midnight to get the discount. Even with a short break here and there, I DID IT!  I got BOTH done!!!  Wasn't sure it would happen, but YES!  SO happy that is over! I had to go through thousands of photos because I crammed in two years worth of pix in both calendars because I didn't do one last year. If I had been this on the ball last year, I would have got them done! But then the accident happened and it all went out the window!  I had to choose to have them done early last year or do the gingerbread house for the contest.  This year I have decided to not do a gingerbread house. Can't do it all!

dear sunday, wow I hate when I do this! I didn't record one single day this week. All my time has gone to finishing the calendars this week among a million other activities. I thought I was keeping up but there is nothing here! Sigh....
I taught the Sunbeams today. We made turkeys and they turned out so cute. I should have taken a photo! Love my Sunbeams. Ezra was waving at me in sacrament and I could hear him say, "That is my teacher Mrs. While-a-ding". He's the sweetest. He told me he loved me in class today.  He has my heart. They all do!

We came home from church and I got some of my blog caught up! Yay! We then ate and I had to lay down. I only got about 4 hours of sleep last night because I was up so late finishing the calendars and then woke up about 4:30 a.m.  Fun Fun.  Carson was so cute and came in and watched part of Home Alone with me. Sky put in a frozen peach pie and it was so yummy! It's supposed to snow tomorrow!

dear random, Oh my heart!

BYU won their first national cross country championship led by my classmate none other than Ed Eyestone!  So proud of Ed!  We graduated from the same high school and he was an amazing athlete and person.  At our 35th reunion I asked him for some advice on qualifying for the Boston Marathon. He told me to get in my long runs, and to do speedwork. I did what he said and I did get my BQ the next year!~
HERE

dear quotes,